If nuclear talks fail, Iranian domestic resources to be explored

The goal of the nuclear talks is easing the sanctions pressure, if it is not achieved, Iranian officials should abandon negotiations and pay attention to the country's domestic issues, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said, Iranian ISNA news agency reported on Feb. 19.

"In both cases Iran is the winner of the negotiations," he added.

Jafari went on to say that the administration entered the negotiations under the will of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran held a new round of nuclear talks with the Six Powers (P5+1 group) earlier on Feb. 18, which was followed by separate bilateral meetings.

The Vienna talks are being held for the purpose of setting an agenda for the talks on a final step agreement.

Jafari underlined that the Islamic Republic's red lines should not be violated in the nuclear talks.

"For the time being we should be patient and wait for the outcome of negotiations," he said, adding that "while the purpose of the negotiations is easing sanction pressure we are turning a blind eye on some domestic issues."

He did not further unveil any details on the issue.

Iran and the P5+1 reached a nuclear agreement on Nov. 24, 2013. Iran has agreed to curb some of its nuclear activities for six months in return for sanctions relief. Iran and the P5+1 group agreed to implement the agreement starting Jan. 20.

Under the agreement, six major powers agreed to give Iran access to $4.2 billion in revenues blocked overseas if it carries out the deal, which offers sanctions relief in exchange for steps to curb the Iranian nuclear program.